Mouthwashing Disappears from Itch.io—Payment Processors Strike Again

The Vanishing of an Indie Sensation

When the worlds of finance and digital entertainment collide, even a game that was once hailed as a Game-of-the-Year contender can disappear from the public eye. This is exactly what happened to Mouthwashing, an indie title that was quietly removed from Itch.io’s search results after the platform updated its content policies to align with new financial regulations.

The story begins with the game itself. Mouthwashing, developed by the indie studio Wrong Organ, was a 2024 nominee for Game of the Year. Known for its non-linear narrative and atmospheric visuals, it had garnered critical acclaim and a strong following among gamers. However, on July 28, 2025, the game vanished from Itch.io’s search bar, leaving players and developers puzzled.

According to audio designer Martin Halldin, the game was “yoinked” after Itch.io revised its forbidden-content list. While the game isn’t outright banned, it’s now nearly impossible to find through organic means. Players must use direct links to access the title, which significantly limits its visibility.

The Role of Payment Processors

The root of this issue lies with major payment processors like Visa and Mastercard. These companies have introduced sweeping content restrictions aimed at eliminating "adult or objectionable" material. This has led to a wave of game removals across various platforms. Earlier in 2025, Steam delisted nearly 500 visual novels and niche games due to these new rules.

Indie developers are caught in a difficult position. They must either tone down their creative themes or risk losing access to essential payment systems. This creates a Catch-22 situation where artistic expression is compromised for the sake of financial viability.

A Blow to Creative Freedom

Mouthwashing’s removal has sparked concern among developers and preservation advocates. The game is far from being low-effort or fringe; it was praised for its unique storytelling and moody artwork. Despite its positive Steam rating, it still fell under the vague category of "possible policy violations." As of the article’s publication, Mouthwashing remains available on Steam, but its fate on Itch.io raises serious questions about the future of creative freedom in gaming.

Industry experts warn that this trend could lead to a slippery slope where anything remotely edgy or unconventional might be flagged next. The power to determine what is "acceptable" is shifting from gamers to financial institutions, which is a troubling development for the gaming community.

The Battle Between Creativity and Commerce

For years, Itch.io has been a haven for indie developers, offering a low-barrier publishing platform and generous revenue splits. However, when payment networks tighten their grip, platforms are forced to comply or risk losing transaction support altogether. This financial gatekeeping could stifle the diversity that has made indie games so innovative and fresh.

Developers are now exploring alternative options. Wrong Organ has not announced any plans for alternate storefronts, but self-publishing or pay-what-you-want bundles may be potential solutions. Meanwhile, Itch.io continues to review its catalog, and more titles could be affected if they trigger the same policies.

The Road Ahead

Preservation advocates are urging lawmakers to take action against what they call "silent censorship" by banks. They argue that commercial pressures should not dictate the boundaries of artistic expression. As digital storefronts weigh the risks of creativity against the need for financial stability, the disappearance of Mouthwashing serves as a stark reminder of the power that payment processors hold in today's marketplace.

In a world where digital distribution is increasingly controlled by financial institutions, the question remains: who truly decides what gets published and what gets erased? The answer may lie in the hands of those who control the flow of money, rather than the creators who bring games to life.